Liquid termiticide compositions of pyrethroids and neonicitinoids

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to liquid termiticide compositions comprising a pyrethroid and a neonicotinoid selected from the group consisting of imidacloprid, nithiazine, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran, nitenpyram, thiacloprid and clothianadin, these compositions result in an increase in termite mortality at low application rates and a continuous chemical bather of a termiticide in soil surrounding and beneath a structure in a locus where termites are suspected or known to exist.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/556,229, filed Mar. 25, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to pesticidal compositions. Inparticular, it pertains to compositions of liquid termiticides usefulfor control of soil-borne termites.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Termites are undisputedly the most destructive of all structuralinsects. Termites are estimated to cause 1.5 billion dollars of damageto structures annually, and an additional one billion dollars is spenton treatment. Depending on the type of termite, a colony can cover asmuch as 22,000 square feet. These industrious insects work 24 hours aday, gradually eating wood and any other cellulose containing materialin their environment. Since they remain hidden within the wood in whichthey are feeding, in mud tubes, or in the soil, they typically wreakhavoc undetected. There are two types of termites, described as i) drywood termites, and ii) subterranean termites. Of these two types, thesubterranean termites usually live in the soil (i.e., soil-borne), fromwhich they build mud tubes to structural wood where they then feed.

Control of soil-borne termites can be accomplished by strategicapplication of a termiticide to the soil where there is a termiteinfestation, to provide a continuous chemical bather in soil surroundingand beneath a structure. However, the final distribution of a liquidtermiticide in soil is the result of a series of variables: soilmoisture, soil type, solubility of the active ingredient in water,formulation type, and application variables such as volume applied,pressure and nozzle type. The preferred method for control of soil-bornetermites is by the application of a termiticide directly to the surfaceof soil, thereby creating a chemical barrier in the soil when thetermiticide leaches into the soil. Termiticides having potential utilityin application directly to the surface of soil are applied in the formof a liquid termiticide. A “liquid termiticide” is defined as acomposition containing at least one termiticide where the composition isdispensed in an aqueous medium prior to its application to a locus wheretermite control is needed.

There is a two-fold problem in the art of formulating a liquidtermiticide for soil-borne termite treatment. The first problem ariseswhen a liquid termiticide containing a relatively water-insoluble,soil-binding termiticide is applied to the soil there may be gaps, orthinly treated areas, in the desired continuous chemical barrier causedby the immobility of the termiticide in the soil. Termites, therefore,can gain access to food sources/structures through these gaps and thinlytreated areas in the chemical barrier. The second problem is thatpreviously available liquid termiticides have relatively low termitemortality rates at low application rates.

Hence, it would be advantageous to provide a liquid termiticidecomposition for soil treatment that affords a continuous chemicalbarrier and increased termite mortality at low application rates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been unexpectedly found that a composition comprising apyrethroid, such as bifenthin, and a neonicitinoid, such asimidacloprid, clothianidin, or thiamethoxin, provides a continuouschemical barrier and increased termite mortality at low applicationrates. The neonicitinoid provides good soil mobility for a veryeffective continuous chemical barrier. The combination of the pyrethroidand neonicitinoid provide for an unexpected increase in termitemortality at low application rates. Specifically, the present inventionis a liquid termiticide composition comprising a pyrethroid and aneonicotinoid selected from the group consisting of imidacloprid,nithiazine, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran, nitenpyram, thiacloprid andclothianadin. Other aspects of the present invention will also beapparent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It has now been unexpectedly found that a liquid termiticide compositioncomprising a pyrethroid and a neonicotinoid selected from the groupconsisting of imidacloprid, nithiazine, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran,nitenpyram, thiacloprid and clothianadin. Preferably, the pyrethroid isselected from the group consisting of bifenthrin, cypermethrin, zetacypermethrin, lambdacyhalothrin, betacyhalothrin, alphacypermethrin,tralomethrin, deltamethrin, cyfluthrin, beta-cyfluthrin, esfenvalerate,fluvalinate, etofenprox and permethrin. More preferably, the pyrethroidis bifenthrin.

A preferred composition is a mixture of bifenthrin and imidacloprid. Thebifenthrin can be present in an amount of from 0.0005% by weight to0.50% by weight of all components in the composition. The imidiclopridcan be present in an amount of from 0.0005% by weight to 0.50% by weightof all components in the composition.

Another preferred composition is a mixture of bifenthrin andclothianadin. The bifenthrin can be present in an amount of from 0.0005%by weight to 0.50% by weight of all components in the composition. Theclothianadin can be present in an amount of from 0.0005% by weight to0.50% by weight of all components in the composition.

Yet another preferred composition is a mixture of bifenthrin andthiamethoxam. The bifenthrin can be present in an amount of from 0.0005%by weight to 0.50% by weight of all components in the composition. Thethiamethoxam can be present in an amount of from 0.0005% by weight to0.50% by weight of all components in the composition.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a method forcontrolling termites comprising applying a termiticidally effectiveamount of a composition to a locus where termite control is needed orexpected to be needed. The locus can be selected from a termite-infestedstructure, a structure that is expected to be termite-infested, or alocation adjacent to said structures.

A liquid termiticide is any composition containing a termiticide wherethe composition is dispensed in an aqueous medium prior to itsapplication to a locus where termite control is needed. That is to say,a liquid termiticide is made up of 1) a termiticide, 2) an aqueousmedium and 3) other additives conventionally employed in termiticidalformulations (e.g. surfactants, wetting agents, freeze/thaw agents). Allcompositions of termiticides that are or can be dispensed in an aqueousmedium prior to application are, therefore, within the scope of thepresent invention (e.g. Micro-emulsions, Suspension concentrates,Emulsifiable concentrates, Wettable powders, Water dispersible granules,Capsule suspensions, Emulsifiable granules or combinations thereof).

The compositions of the present invention may be derived fromcommercially available formulations of termiticides. For example,bifenthrin, sold by FMC Corporation under the names and trademarks ofTALSTAR® GC FLOWABLE INSECTICIDE/MITICIDE, TALSTAR®TERMITICIDE/INSECTICIDE, or TALSTARONE® MULTI-INSECTICIDE, to name afew, find utility in the present invention. Using methods known to oneskilled in the art, the above-mentioned formulations of termiticides canbe dispersed in an aqueous medium to provide a composition containing atermiticidally effective amount of a termiticide.

The following examples further illustrate the present invention, but, ofcourse, should not be construed as in any way limiting its scope. Theexamples set forth certain biological data illustrating the efficacy ofthe compositions of the present invention in controlling termites.Unless otherwise indicated, all parts, percentages, and the like are byweight of all components of the composition.

Example 1 Test to Determine Termite Mortality by Applications ofCombinations of Bifenthrin and Imidacloprid

The compositions of the present invention were tested for termiticideactivity in the following manner:

Test compositions made up of TALSTAR® TERMITICIDE/INSECTICIDE and awettable powder of imidacloprid in distilled water were prepared thatprovided appropriate rates of application of combinations of bifenthrinand imidacloprid, as well as bifenthrin and imidacloprid alone.

Glass tubing, 13 mm in diameter, was then cut into 20 cm sections insufficient quantity to conduct the test. Each 20 mm section of tubingwas marked at 5 cm, 8 cm, and 18 cm distances from one end of the tubedesignated as the bottom. Each section of tubing was packed with a sandysoil (3% wt/wt moisture content) by first placing a section of a 1 cmdiameter wooden dowel into the bottom of the glass tube up to the 8 cmmarking, then introducing approximately 2 cm of soil into the other endof the tube designated as the top. The soil was then gently packed intothe tube from the top using a second section of the 1 cm diameter woodendowel. The process was repeated using 2 cm aliquots of soil until thesoil level was adjacent to the 18 cm marking, thereby providing a columnof soil 10 cm in height. An agar plug, which was formed in a section ofthe 13 mm diameter glass tubing of the type used to conduct these tests,was cut into 3 cm sections. A 3 cm section of agar was then gentlypushed into the bottom of each tube containing the soil until the agarplug firmly touched the soil at the 8 cm marking, thereby creating a 5cm void in the bottom of each section of tubing. Following placement ofthe agar plugs in each section of tubing; two sections of applicatorsticks cut in 6 cm lengths were inserted into the bottom end of eachtube thereby forcing about 1 cm of each stick into the agar plug to holdthe agar plug in place. Plastic caps, with an inside diameter of 13 mmand holes drilled in their centers, were placed on the bottom ends ofeach of the sections of tubing. A sharpened applicator stick was theninserted into the hole in each plastic cap through the agar plug to theintersection of the agar plug and the soil. The applicator stick wasthen gently removed in a rotating manner to provide a means for a freeflow of liquid through the soil. Each section of tubing was then stoodupright, and 0.5 mL aliquots of each suspension of bifenthrin,imidacloprid or combinations thereof, as prepared above, were pipettedonto the top of the soil. Upon application of the test suspensions thetop of each section of tubing was covered with a small piece of aluminumfoil. The tubes were then allowed to stand for about 20 hours to allowmovement of the termiticide(s) downward into the soil. After this time aplastic cap of 13 mm inside diameter was placed on the top of eachsection of tubing. The plastic caps with the holes drilled in theircenters were removed from the bottom of each section of tubing, and apiece of 0.5 cm×4 cm filter paper was then placed between the twosections of applicator sticks. Fifty termite (Reticulitermes flavipes)workers were then inserted into the 5 cm void in the bottom of eachsection of tubing. New plastic caps without holes drilled in theircenters were placed on the bottom of each section of tubing. Thesections of tubing were then stored in an upright position, with thetermites located below the soil. Termite mortality was measured at 1hour, 2 hours, 1 day, 2 days and 7 days after treatment. The followingresults were recorded:

TABLE 1 Control of Termites by Application of Combinations of Bifenthrinand Imidacloprid Rate of Mortality Mortality Mortality MortalityMortality Rate of Appln. Rate @ 1 Rate @ 2 Rate @ 1 Rate @ 2 Rate @ 7Appln. (% by Hour Hours Day Days Days Treatment (PPM) weight) (%) (%)(%) (%) (%) A 10 0.001 0 0 13 24 95 50 0.005 0 0 21 78 100 B 100 0.01 00 0 4 100 200 0.02 0 0 1 6 100 A + B 10/100 0.001/ 0 3 29 76 100 0.0110/200 0.001/ 3 3 34 68 100 0.02 50/100 0.005/ 0 0 20 80 100 0.01 50/2000.005/ 0 0 28 75 100 0.02 Untreated 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 A is bifenthrin B isimidacloprid

Example 2 Test to Determine Termite Mortality by Applications ofCombinations of Bifenthrin and Clothianadin

The compositions of the present invention were tested for termiticideactivity in the following manner:

Test compositions made up of TALSTAR® TERMITICIDE/INSECTICIDE and awettable powder of clothianadin in distilled water were prepared thatprovided appropriate rates of application of combinations of bifenthrinand clothianadin, as well as bifenthrin and clothianadin alone.

Glass tubing, 13 mm in diameter, was then cut into 20 cm sections insufficient quantity to conduct the test. Each 20 mm section of tubingwas marked at 5 cm, 8 cm, and 18 cm distances from one end of the tubedesignated as the bottom. Each section of tubing was packed with a sandysoil (3% wt/wt moisture content) by first placing a section of a 1 cmdiameter wooden dowel into the bottom of the glass tube up to the 8 cmmarking, then introducing approximately 2 cm of soil into the other endof the tube designated as the top. The soil was then gently packed intothe tube from the top using a second section of the 1 cm diameter woodendowel. The process was repeated using 2 cm aliquots of soil until thesoil level was adjacent to the 18 cm marking, thereby providing a columnof soil 10 cm in height. An agar plug, which was formed in a section ofthe 13 mm diameter glass tubing of the type used to conduct these tests,was cut into 3 cm sections. A 3 cm section of agar was then gentlypushed into the bottom of each tube containing the soil until the agarplug firmly touched the soil at the 8 cm marking, thereby creating a 5cm void in the bottom of each section of tubing. Following placement ofthe agar plugs in each section of tubing; two sections of applicatorsticks cut in 6 cm lengths were inserted into the bottom end of eachtube thereby forcing about 1 cm of each stick into the agar plug to holdthe agar plug in place. Plastic caps, with an inside diameter of 13 mmand holes drilled in their centers, were placed on the bottom ends ofeach of the sections of tubing. A sharpened applicator stick was theninserted into the hole in each plastic cap through the agar plug to theintersection of the agar plug and the soil. The applicator stick wasthen gently removed in a rotating manner to provide a means for a freeflow of liquid through the soil. Each section of tubing was then stoodupright, and 0.5 mL aliquots of each suspension of bifenthrin,clothianadin or combinations thereof, as prepared above, were pipettedonto the top of the soil. Upon application of the test suspensions thetop of each section of tubing was covered with a small piece of aluminumfoil. The tubes were then allowed to stand for about 20 hours to allowmovement of the termiticide(s) downward into the soil. After this time aplastic cap of 13 mm inside diameter was placed on the top of eachsection of tubing. The plastic caps with the holes drilled in theircenters were removed from the bottom of each section of tubing, and apiece of 0.5 cm×4 cm filter paper was then placed between the twosections of applicator sticks. Fifty termite (Reticulitermes flavipes)workers were then inserted into the 5 cm void in the bottom of eachsection of tubing. New plastic caps without holes drilled in theircenters were placed on the bottom of each section of tubing. Thesections of tubing were then stored in an upright position, with thetermites located below the soil. Termite mortality was measured at 1hour, 2 hours, 1 day, 2 days and 7 days after treatment. The followingresults were recorded:

TABLE 2 Control of Termites by Application of Combinations of Bifenthrinand Clothianadin Rate of Mortality Mortality Mortality MortalityMortality Rate of Appln. Rate @ 1 Rate @ 2 Rate @ 1 Rate @ 2 Rate @ 7Appln. (% by Hour Hours Day Days Days Treatment (PPM) weight) (%) (%)(%) (%) (%) A 10 0.001 0 0 13 24 95 50 0.005 0 0 21 78 100 B 100 0.01 00 0 23 100 200 0.02 0 0 1 11 100 A + B 10/100 0.001/ 0 0 20 51 100 0.0110/200 0.001/ 0 0 26 76 100 0.02 50/100 0.005/ 0 0 21 70 100 0.01 50/2000.005/ 0 0 20 81 100 0.02 Untreated 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 A is bifenthrin B isclothianadin

Example 3 Test to Determine Termite Mortality by Applications ofCombinations of Bifenthrin and Thiamethoxam

The compositions of the present invention were tested for termiticideactivity in the following manner:

Test compositions made up of TALSTAR® TERMITICIDE/INSECTICIDE and awettable powder of thiamethoxam in distilled water were prepared thatprovided appropriate rates of application of combinations of bifenthrinand thiamethoxam, as well as bifenthrin and thiamethoxam alone.

Glass tubing, 13 mm in diameter, was then cut into 20 cm sections insufficient quantity to conduct the test. Each 20 mm section of tubingwas marked at 5 cm, 8 cm, and 18 cm distances from one end of the tubedesignated as the bottom. Each section of tubing was packed with a sandysoil (3% wt/wt moisture content) by first placing a section of a 1 cmdiameter wooden dowel into the bottom of the glass tube up to the 8 cmmarking, then introducing approximately 2 cm of soil into the other endof the tube designated as the top. The soil was then gently packed intothe tube from the top using a second section of the 1 cm diameter woodendowel. The process was repeated using 2 cm aliquots of soil until thesoil level was adjacent to the 18 cm marking, thereby providing a columnof soil 10 cm in height. An agar plug, which was formed in a section ofthe 13 mm diameter glass tubing of the type used to conduct these tests,was cut into 3 cm sections. A 3 cm section of agar was then gentlypushed into the bottom of each tube containing the soil until the agarplug firmly touched the soil at the 8 cm marking, thereby creating a 5cm void in the bottom of each section of tubing. Following placement ofthe agar plugs in each section of tubing; two sections of applicatorsticks cut in 6 cm lengths were inserted into the bottom end of eachtube thereby forcing about 1 cm of each stick into the agar plug to holdthe agar plug in place. Plastic caps, with an inside diameter of 13 mmand holes drilled in their centers, were placed on the bottom ends ofeach of the sections of tubing. A sharpened applicator stick was theninserted into the hole in each plastic cap through the agar plug to theintersection of the agar plug and the soil. The applicator stick wasthen gently removed in a rotating manner to provide a means for a freeflow of liquid through the soil. Each section of tubing was then stoodupright, and 0.5 mL aliquots of each suspension of bifenthrin,thiamethoxam or combinations thereof, as prepared above, were pipettedonto the top of the soil. Upon application of the test suspensions thetop of each section of tubing was covered with a small piece of aluminumfoil. The tubes were then allowed to stand for about 20 hours to allowmovement of the termiticide(s) downward into the soil. After this time aplastic cap of 13 mm inside diameter was placed on the top of eachsection of tubing. The plastic caps with the holes drilled in theircenters were removed from the bottom of each section of tubing, and apiece of 0.5 cm×4 cm filter paper was then placed between the twosections of applicator sticks. Fifty termite (Reticulitermes flavipes)workers were then inserted into the 5 cm void in the bottom of eachsection of tubing. New plastic caps without holes drilled in theircenters were placed on the bottom of each section of tubing. Thesections of tubing were then stored in an upright position, with thetermites located below the soil. Termite mortality was measured at 1hour, 2 hours, 1 day, 2 days and 7 days after treatment. The followingresults were recorded:

TABLE 3 Control of Termites by Application of Combinations of Bifenthrinand Thiamethoxam Rate of Mortality Mortality Mortality MortalityMortality Rate of Appln. Rate @ 1 Rate @ 2 Rate @ 1 Rate @ 2 Rate @ 7Appln. (% by Hour Hours Day Days Days Treatment (PPM) weight) (%) (%)(%) (%) (%) A 10 0.001 0 0 3 5 100 50 0.005 0 0 10 65 100 B 100 0.01 0 00 4 100 200 0.02 0 0 1 20 100 A + B 10/100 0.001/ 0 0 21 68 100 0.0110/200 0.001/ 0 0 20 83 100 0.02 50/100 0.005/ 0 0 21 84 100 0.01 50/2000.005/ 0 0 9 80 100 0.02 Untreated 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 A is bifenthrin B isthiamethoxam

In the context of the present invention, the term “termiticide” refersto the active chemical compound or ingredient, such as bifenthrin,imidacloprid, nithiazinc, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran, nitenpyram,thiacloprid or clothianadin that kills or repels termites. The term“liquid termiticide” refers to a composition of a termiticide where thecomposition can be dispensed in an aqueous medium prior to itsapplication to a locus where termite control is desired. The term“locus” refers to any locations where control of termites is needed oris expected to be needed. Such locations include, without limitation,buildings, trees, posts poles, fences, and locations adjacent tobuildings, trees, posts poles, fences, as well as other locations. Theterm “repellency” refers to driving back, warding off, or keepingtermites away through the use of a termiticide in a termite barrier. Theterms “mortality”, “percent mortality”, “control”, or “percent control”may be used interchangeably, and refer to the killing of and/orrepelling of termites.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that variations ofthe invention may be used and that it is intended that the invention maybe practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications encompassedwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for controlling termites comprisingapplying a termiticidally effective amount of a termite compositiondispersed in an aqueous medium wherein the termiticide consists of amixture of (i) bifenthrin and (ii) clothianadin, wherein the amount ofbifenthrin is equal to from 0.0005% by weight to 0.50% by weight of allcomponents in the composition and the amount of clothianadin is equal tofrom 0.0005% by weight to 0.50% by weight of all components in thecomposition to a locus where termite control is needed or expected to beneeded, wherein said locus is selected from a termite-infestedstructure, a structure that is expected to be termite-infested, or alocation adjacent to said structures.
 2. The method of claim 1 whereinthe weight ratio of bifenthrin:clothianadin is between 1:2 and 1:20. 3.The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of bifenthrin is equal to from0.001% by weight to 0.005% by weight of all components in thecomposition and the amount of clothianadin is equal to from 0.01% byweight to 0.02% by weight of all components in the composition.
 4. Themethod of claim 1 wherein such termites are of the speciesReticulitermes flavipes.